Teachers with Second Jobs: Turning Passion into Profit

Teaching is a profession that demands dedication, patience and passion. However, with increasing workloads and stagnant wages, many teachers across the UK are turning to second jobs to supplement their income. But having a second job doesn’t mean compromising your main career. In fact, many teachers are discovering creative ways to expand their skills and earn extra money—sometimes even more than their teaching salary.

In this article, we’ll explore why so many teachers with second jobs are succeeding, the most lucrative and flexible side jobs, and how you can start your journey toward financial independence—especially through platforms like Yum Yum Mama Resource Rack, where teachers retain far more commission than sites like TES.

Why Do Teachers Take on Second Jobs?

Teaching is fulfilling, but let’s face it—it's not always financially rewarding. Some key reasons why teachers pursue second jobs include:

Supplementing income to manage rising living costs
Saving for big goals like a home deposit or family holidays
Pursuing personal passions outside the classroom
Building a bridge to future career changes
Increasing pension contributions

The good news? The skills teachers already have—communication, organisation, leadership—are highly transferable and valued across multiple industries.

Commonly Searched Questions About Teachers with Second Jobs

What is the best 2nd job to have?
The best second job fits around your teaching hours, aligns with your skills and ideally generates passive or semi-passive income. Examples include selling teaching resources online, tutoring, or freelance writing.

What job can a teacher do other than teaching?
Teachers can thrive in roles like education consultancy, curriculum development, content writing, course creation, virtual assistance, and even coding or graphic design.

How to earn extra money as a teacher?
Join platforms like Yum Yum Mama Resource Rack, which pays higher commission than TES, create a blog or YouTube channel, tutor online, or sell digital printables.

What is the 4-year rule for teachers in the UK?
This rule states that qualified teachers who haven’t worked in a maintained school for four consecutive years must requalify to teach again.

Best Second Jobs for Teachers (That Actually Pay Well)

Here’s a breakdown of side hustles teachers are successfully doing today:

1. Selling Teaching Resources Online

Teachers already spend time creating lesson plans, worksheets and assessments. Why not profit from them?

Upload your resources to Yum Yum Mama Resource Rack, a fast-growing marketplace with over 100,000 students and teachers. Sellers retain far more commission than TES, making it one of the most profitable options available.

➡️ Sign up here to start selling

2. Online Tutoring

Use your subject expertise to tutor students remotely via platforms like MyTutor, Superprof or even your own website.

Pros: High hourly rates, flexible hours
Cons: Time-for-money exchange

3. Freelance Writing

If you enjoy writing, consider freelance blogging, copywriting or educational content creation.

Websites like Upwork or Fiverr let you start quickly, but the best-paying gigs come from long-term clients in education or publishing.

4. Virtual Assistant Work

As a teacher, you’re already super organised—this makes you a natural VA.

Tasks include email management, scheduling and content creation. Many VAs make £20–£40 per hour working part-time.

5. Print-on-Demand & Digital Products

Design digital products or merchandise using Canva and sell via Etsy, Shopify or Gumroad. Examples include:

Classroom posters
Educational planners
Custom T-shirts or mugs

6. Summer Work or Holiday Jobs

From exam marking to seasonal event work, many teachers boost their income during breaks.

Search for "side jobs for teachers in summer" to find flexible gigs that won’t burn you out.

Can Teachers Legally Have a Second Job in the UK?

Yes! Teachers are allowed to take on second jobs as long as it doesn't interfere with their main role or breach their employment contract. Always check your contract or talk with your headteacher for clarity.

What Makes Yum Yum Mama Resource Rack Different?

Unlike traditional platforms, Yum Yum Mama is community-driven and created by teachers, for teachers. Here’s why it’s growing so quickly:

High commission retention – Keep significantly more than what TES offers
Low fees and high traffic – 100,000+ student users
UK-based and supportive of flexible teaching lifestyles
Perfect for teachers with second jobs or looking to transition careers

➡️ Join the Yum Yum Mama Resource Rack today

Final Thoughts

Teachers with second jobs are no longer the exception—they're the future. Whether you're looking for extra income, more freedom, or a transition into something new, now is the time to explore your options. You already have valuable skills. Why not turn them into a second stream of income?

Whether it’s freelancing, tutoring, or building your own education business through Yum Yum Mama, the opportunity to earn more on your own terms is already within reach.